zhíqián: 值钱 - Valuable, Costly

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• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 值钱 (zhíqián), which means “valuable” or “costly.” This page will teach you how to use it to describe items with high monetary worth, like antiques or jewelry, as well as figurative things like valuable advice. We'll explore the cultural nuances, compare it to similar words like `有价值 (yǒu jiàzhí)` and `贵 (guì)`, and provide over 10 practical example sentences to show you how it's used in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhíqián
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To be valuable or costly, typically in a monetary sense.
• In a Nutshell: 值钱 (zhíqián) is the word you use when you want to say something is “worth a lot of money.” Think of antiques, gold, or a rare collectible. While it can be used for abstract things like information, its core feeling is strongly tied to financial worth and what something could be sold for. It's a very direct and practical way to talk about value.

• 值 (zhí): This character means “value” or “to be worth.” It's composed of the person radical (亻) and a phonetic component 直 (zhí), which means “straight” or “direct.” You can think of it as the “direct” or established worth of something as assessed by a person.
• 钱 (qián): This character simply means “money.” The radical on the left is the metal radical (钅), a reminder that ancient Chinese currency was made of metal.

When you combine 值 (value) and 钱 (money), you get 值钱, which literally translates to “value-money” or “worth-money.” This direct combination makes its meaning—valuable in a monetary sense—very clear.

值钱 (zhíqián) reflects a very practical and tangible perspective on value that is common in Chinese culture. While Western culture certainly understands monetary worth, the English word “valuable” can often carry a strong sentimental or abstract connotation (e.g., “a valuable lesson,” “a valuable friendship”). In Chinese, there's a clearer separation. 值钱 (zhíqián) is primarily for things that have market value. For something that is emotionally valuable but not necessarily sellable, like a family photo or a fond memory, a different word like 宝贵 (bǎoguì), meaning “precious,” would be more appropriate. This distinction is important. Calling a person “很值钱” (hěn zhíqián) in a business context could be interpreted as a compliment on their skills being highly compensated. However, in a personal context, it could sound materialistic, as if you are pricing their worth. This is different from English, where calling someone “a valuable member of the team” is a standard and positive expression without such a strong monetary implication.

值钱 (zhíqián) is a common adjective used in various situations:

• Appraising Items: It's the go-to word when discussing the market value of goods like art, antiques, jewelry, or real estate.
• Discussing Information or Skills: It can be used figuratively to describe information, advice, or a skill that can lead to a financial or strategic advantage.
• As a Negative (不值钱): The negative form, 不值钱 (bù zhíqián), is frequently used to dismiss something as “worthless,” “cheap,” or “a dime a dozen.”
• In Questions: People often use it in the A-not-A format (值不值钱?) to ask, “Is this valuable?”

Its connotation is generally neutral, as it's a statement of fact about market worth. However, applying it to people or relationships can feel impersonal and materialistic.

• Example 1:
• 这件古董很值钱，一定要好好保存。
• Pinyin: Zhè jiàn gǔdǒng hěn zhíqián, yīdìng yào hǎohǎo bǎocún.
• English: This antique is very valuable; you must preserve it well.
• Analysis: A classic, literal use of 值钱 to describe an object's high monetary worth.
• Example 2:
• 黄金当然比白银值钱。
• Pinyin: Huángjīn dāngrán bǐ báiyín zhíqián.
• English: Of course, gold is more valuable than silver.
• Analysis: Used in a comparative sentence with 比 (bǐ) to compare the monetary value of two commodities.
• Example 3:
• 在这个信息时代，准确的数据最值钱。
• Pinyin: Zài zhège xìnxī shídài, zhǔnquè de shùjù zuì zhíqián.
• English: In this information age, accurate data is the most valuable.
• Analysis: A figurative use. The data isn't money, but its value can be directly converted into strategic or financial gain, making 值钱 appropriate.
• Example 4:
• 你帮我看看这块手表值不值钱？
• Pinyin: Nǐ bāng wǒ kànkan zhè kuài shǒubiǎo zhí bù zhíqián?
• English: Can you help me see if this watch is valuable?
• Analysis: This uses the common “A-not-A” (值不值钱) question structure to ask about an item's worth.
• Example 5:
• 这些旧书都不值钱了，当废纸卖了吧。
• Pinyin: Zhèxiē jiù shū dōu bù zhíqián le, dāng fèizhǐ màile ba.
• English: These old books aren't valuable anymore, just sell them as waste paper.
• Analysis: Shows the negative form 不值钱 (bù zhíqián) to mean “worthless.”
• Example 6:
• 他从那次失败中学到的教训很值钱。
• Pinyin: Tā cóng nà cì shībài zhōng xué dào de jiàoxùn hěn zhíqián.
• English: The lesson he learned from that failure is very valuable.
• Analysis: Another figurative use. The “lesson” prevents future costly mistakes, thus having a practical, almost monetary, value.
• Example 7:
• 别看这个东西小，其实相当值钱。
• Pinyin: Bié kàn zhège dōngxi xiǎo, qíshí xiāngdāng zhíqián.
• English: Don't just look at how small this thing is; it's actually quite valuable.
• Analysis: A common conversational phrase, highlighting a surprising or hidden value.
• Example 8:
• 一线城市的户口现在特别值钱。
• Pinyin: Yīxiàn chéngshì de hùkǒu xiànzài tèbié zhíqián.
• English: A hukou (household registration) in a first-tier city is extremely valuable now.
• Analysis: A modern, culturally specific example. A hukou provides access to social services and opportunities, giving it a tangible, high value.
• Example 9:
• 在我们公司，只有销售冠军才值钱。
• Pinyin: Zài wǒmen gōngsī, zhǐyǒu xiāoshòu guànjūn cái zhíqián.
• English: In our company, only the top salesperson is considered valuable.
• Analysis: Here, 值钱 is applied to a person, carrying a slightly cynical, materialistic tone. It implies the company only values people based on the revenue they generate.
• Example 10:
• 他认为时间比任何东西都值钱。
• Pinyin: Tā rènwéi shíjiān bǐ rènhé dōngxī dōu zhíqián.
• English: He believes that time is more valuable than anything else.
• Analysis: A philosophical use, framing time in terms of its immense, irreplaceable worth, akin to the English saying “time is money.”

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 值钱 (zhíqián) with similar-sounding concepts. 1. 值钱 (zhíqián) vs. 有价值 (yǒu jiàzhí)

• 值钱 (zhíqián): Means “valuable/costly” (has monetary worth). It's about being sellable for a good price.
• 有价值 (yǒu jiàzhí): Means “to have value” in a much broader sense (historical, cultural, sentimental, moral).
• Mistake: Saying an old family photo is 很值钱 (hěn zhíqián).
  • Incorrect: `我奶奶的照片很值钱。` (Wǒ nǎinai de zhàopiàn hěn zhíqián.) This sounds like you want to sell your grandma's photo for cash.
  • Correct: `我奶奶的照片对我们家来说很有价值。` (Wǒ nǎinai de zhàopiàn duì wǒmen jiā láishuō hěn yǒu jiàzhí.) This means the photo has great sentimental value for your family.

2. 值钱 (zhíqián) vs. 贵 (guì)

• 贵 (guì): Means “expensive.” It describes the price you pay for something.
• 值钱 (zhíqián): Describes the inherent worth or resale value of something.
• Nuance: Something can be very 贵 (guì) but 不值钱 (bù zhíqián) if you overpaid for it (i.e., its price is high, but its actual worth is low).
  • Example: `这瓶红酒很贵，但是懂的人说它并不值钱。` (Zhè píng hóngjiǔ hěn guì, dànshì dǒng de rén shuō tā bìng bù zhíqián.) - This bottle of wine is expensive, but connoisseurs say it isn't actually valuable.

• 有价值 (yǒu jiàzhí) - Broader than 值钱; means “to have value” in any sense (moral, sentimental, artistic, etc.).
• 宝贵 (bǎoguì) - Precious. Used for things that are cherished and irreplaceable, like time, life, opportunities, and memories. It's more emotional than 值钱.
• 贵 (guì) - Expensive. Refers to a high price tag. Its antonym is 便宜 (piányi).
• 值得 (zhídé) - To be worth (doing something). A verb used with an action. E.g., `这个地方值得去` (This place is worth going to).
• 不值钱 (bù zhíqián) - The direct antonym: worthless, cheap, not valuable.
• 价值 (jiàzhí) - Noun. The abstract concept of “value” or “worth.”
• 价格 (jiàgé) - Noun. The specific “price” of an item for sale.
• 无价之宝 (wú jià zhī bǎo) - An idiom for “priceless treasure.” This is something so valuable it's beyond money, often used for national treasures or deeply loved items.